Executive Summary

Checklist for Starting a Business in Manatee and Sarasota Counties

1) START YOUR BUSINESS PLAN. This is essential for obtaining any financing and is an

excellent resource for creating a checklist and for making sure you have thought through the

business idea. SCORE has a number of resources that can help you create your plan including a

workshop held several times a year.

2) OBTAIN AN ACCOUNTANT/BOOKKEEPER, A BUSINESS LAWYER, AND AN

INSURANCE AGENT. If you need a referral on a lawyer, The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral

Service (LRS), provides referrals to attorneys who will conduct an initial one-half hour office

consultation for $25. Their number is 1-800-342-8011 1-800-342-8011 . If possible,

utilize an insurance agent that comes recommended from friends, family and colleagues. Your

Manasota SCORE chapter can also provide a list of supporting professionals.

3) DETERMINE A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION (E.G. C-CORPORATION,

PARTNERSHIP, S-CORPORATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, SOLE

PROPRIETORSHIP). Through an appointment, SCORE can help with that. Alternatively, use

a lawyer to help you. You might also review

www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98359,00.html and www.corporate.com/entitycomparison.

jsp

4) REGISTER THE COMPANY WITH THE FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE. While

you are there, check with the Occupational Permit Counter at (850) 487-2252 (850) 487-

2252 (www.myflorida.com/dbpr/) to determine any special licenses you need for your

profession (e.g. contracting, barbers, etc.). Their web site is: www.dos.state.fl.us

Sample Forms are located at: www.dos.state.fl.us/doc/form_download.html

For example: Sole-proprietors will file a Fictitious Name Registration; Corporations will file

Articles of Incorporation.

5) REGISTER FOR A FEDERAL TAX ID NUMBER (EIN). See

www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=97860,00.html

6) REGISTER FOR STATE TAX ID NUMBER, UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

ID NUMBER, SALES TAX ID NUMBER (IF REQUIRED), AND ANY OTHER

NECESSARY PERMITS REQUIRED FOR YOUR TYPE OF BUSINESS. See:

www.myflorida.com/dor/businesses

This web site also has a NEW BUSINESS GUIDE which can be downloaded (PDF format).

7) IF YOU WILL BE ESTABLISHING YOUR BUSINESS IN THE FOLLOWING

LOCATIONS, OBTAIN A BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT (formally called an Occupational

License, which is basically a small tax allowing you to conduct business at that location):

Sarasota County 1 (941) 861-8300 1 (941) 861-8300

http://www.sarasotataxcollector.com/OL_PAGES/OL_GeneralInfo.htm

City of Sarasota 1 (941) 954-4186 1 (941) 954-4186

http://www.sarasotagov.com/Business/Content/OccupationalLicenses/BuildingOccLic.html

City of Venice 1 (941) 486-2626 1 (941) 486-2626

http://www.venicegov.com/Municipal_links/Plann_zoning/business_lic.htm

City of North Port 1 (941) 423-3186 1 (941) 423-3186

City of Longboat Key 1 (941) 316 -1999

http://www.longboatkey.org/Departments/Clerk/occupational_licenses.htm

Manatee County Local Business Tax Receipt

(Manatee County does not issue occupational license(s), Bradenton does.)

http://cityofbradenton.com/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC={32484AD9-94A5-42AD-8F9AC0AFF82BF355}

City Clerk's Office - located in City Hall

101 12th St W

Bradenton, FL 34205

Phone: (941) 932-9400 (941) 932-9400

8) WHILE DEALING WITH YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT BE SURE NO SPECIAL

PERMITS OR ZONING REQUIREMENTS ARE REQUIRED.

9) OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT.

10) Manasota SCORE is here to help. As you proceed through these steps, remember that you

can always ask for help from SCORE!